On a day where sports fans in Canada focused on suspect
Olympic judging, it was suspect OHL officiating that cost the Ottawa 67’s a key
goal, and perhaps ground in the playoff race, as they eventually lost 5-4 to
Owen Sound on Sunday.
Early in the third period, down 4-2, an Erik Bradford
centering pass bounced off a gliding Travis Konecny and into the net.
Upon further review, the goal was waived off, the most
questionable call in a game that the refs lost control over, seeing a number of
scrums, fights, and 12 powerplays.
On one of those man advantages, Bradford, already with a
powerplay marker on the day, took matters into his own hands and tallied his
second of the afternoon.
Minutes later, Holden Cook re-gained the two-goal advantage
for the visitors off of a costly giveaway in the slot.
Connor Brown scored his second of the game late in the
third, but a makeshift line of him, Bradford and Konecny were unable to tie the
game in the final minute.
Philippe Trudeau made 32 stops in the losing effort. Brandon Hope made 26 at the other end.
After registering seven of the game’s first eight shots on
goal, Owen Sound took over, outshooting Ottawa 14-7 after one and taking a 3-0
lead early in the middle frame.
The 67’s had to kill off three consecutive penalties in that
time. John Urbanic was given 17 minutes
in penalties for instigating a fight with Justin Brack, who had put recent
call-up Dylan McDonald head-first into the boards.
Taylor Fielding also received 17 minutes in penalties for
going after Gilbert Gabor. Brendan Bell
started off the rough-and-tumble afternoon by taking on Alex Annecchiarico
after the opening goal.
Ottawa still holds a playoff spot ahead of Mississauga, who
lost to Sudbury, as they embark on a Western Conference road trip, taking on
London before road dates with the two non-playoff teams.
The 67’s don’t return home until March 4, a matchup with
Mississauga that will have even more playoff implications.
Game sheet here.
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